Hugh Beebower/PCS Adventures

The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial stands in silent tribute to the sailors entombed below.

Exploring the Attack on Pearl Harbor, HI Pt. 1

Getting stationed anywhere on Oahu means living among the remnants of a significant moment in American history.  Evidence from the December 7,1941 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor still exists in sunken battleships, strafed airplane hangers and memorials found around the bases and the harbor. 

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

The Japanese attack hit Battleship Row in Pearl Harbor hard.  On December 7th, seven  battleships from the U.S. Navy’s Pacific fleet anchored in the harbor while three aircraft carriers were at sea.  Suddenly at 0755 hours, the first wave of Japanese aircraft swept in to Pearl Harbor and unloaded a barrage of deadly torpedos.  At 0845 hours the second wave of aircraft continued the attack causing widespread destruction and death. 

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The USS Arizona Memorial stands over the sunken ship while the nearby USS Missouri gives visitors a look inside a WWII battleship.

At the end of the day, the Japanese heavily damaged or destroyed all seven ships.  The attackers sank several battleships like the USS Arizona.  It was never raised.  They damaged several more, but the US Navy repaired them and these ships went on to serve in various locations during the rest of World War II.  But more important than the ships, a total of 2,390 Americans, both military and civilians, lost their lives that day.  Nearly half of those who perished were on the USS Arizona.

Today the Pearl Harbor National Memorial consists of several locations.  The main visitor center and ferry service to the USS Arizona sits just off Kamehameha Highway on Oahu.  Across the harbor, Ford Island showcases the USS Missouri, USS Utah and USS Oklahoma memorials. 

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Visitors can clearly see the sunken USS Arizona while at the memorial.

Anyone can walk into the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center.  It’s free and I’d highly recommend catching the documentary movie about the attack and seeing the exhibits.

To visit the USS Arizona memorial, you’ll need to book a ticket online. The Park Service only allows a certain number of people on the ferry and the memorial at one time.  See the “If You Go” section at the end of this article for more details.   Visiting the Arizona is a somber, moving trip that’s definitely worth your time.

Ford Island

Having a military ID gives you options on how to visit the Ford Island part of the memorials because it’s part of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The only way civilians can see anything on Ford Island is by reserving a spot on the National Park’s “Ford Island Bus Tour” or taking the free shuttle to the Battleship Missouri Memorial and/or the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. 

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Ford island sits in the middle of Pearl Harbor.

Folks with a military ID can sign up for a military-only tour of Ford Island or drive to the sites themselves.  If you’d like a fully-guided tour of Ford Island, sign up for the two-and-half hour “Ford Island Historical Tour” offered through the ITT-Fleet Store on Willamette Street.  This is not the same thing as the Pearl Harbor National Memorial Ford Island Tour for civilians. Only Department of War (DOW) card holders and their sponsored guests may take this tour.

Each Tuesday historian Jesse Higa takes groups around Ford Island and shares both Hawaiian and military history. See the “If You Go” section of this article for details.

The Ford Island Historical Trail, a four mile self-guided walk, is another option if you have a DOW ID.  It takes you all the way around the island.  At various points plaques explain both Hawaiian and military history made in the area.  But be warned.  There is very little shade on this trail.  It gets hot.

Finally, to visit all of the memorials and museums on the self-guided tour of Ford Island, here’s what I would do.  Flash that DOW card and cross the bridge to the island.  Then  head to the USS Utah Memorial.  It’s on the northern side of the island, on the right a little past the Navy Lodge on Saratoga Boulevard. 

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The USS Utah peeks above the waters of Pearl Harbor.

The remains of the Utah just peak above the water line. A small platform allows you to get a bit closer and plaques tell the story of those sailors lost in the attack. A quick summary from December 7th: Three aerial torpedoes struck the ship causing catastrophic damage. As the ship took on water, she listed sideways and sank. In total, 58 sailors died.

Hugh Beebower/PCS Adventures

The USS Oklahoma Memorial highlights the name of each sailor lost during the attack.

On the other side of the island, even greater numbers of service members were lost. To visit the USS Oklahoma Memorial, head back on Saratoga Boulevard, go through the traffic circle to O’Kane Boulevard and go left on Cowpens Street.  The memorial is on the left just after Lexington Boulevard.

The USS Oklahoma had the second highest number of deaths, 429 lost.  A torpedo struck it and the ship capsized trapping many sailors inside.  Rescuers heard tapping noises coming from deep inside the ship and began a daunting mission to save the sailors.  Sadly they were only able to rescue 32 sailors. 

Today you can see the names of the sailors who perished in the attack.  The memorial creators inscribed tall, narrow pillars with each sailor’s name so future generations will remember their service and sacrifice.

Join me next week to get the scoop on the USS Missouri, Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and more.

Closest Military Installations

MWR Locations Nearby

If You Go:

General Tips

• During peak season the entire Pearl Harbor historical area gets very crowded.  We liked to go early or later on a week day and always avoided holidays.
• Wear comfortable shoes.  You’ll be doing a lot of walking.
• A hat, sunscreen and water are also a good idea.  Even in the rainy season (winter) Hawaii gets hot.
• Before purchasing a ticket online, check with ITT and MWR’s Leisure Travel Services to see if a discounted ticket rate is available. Also check to see if each individual museum offers military discounts.
• Ask for the kama’aina rate for locals. Not every business offers this discount.  It’s not a set amount.  But you’ll need to show proof of residency like a Hawaii drivers license or state ID card.  Some businesses will accept a utility bill.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial

• You do not need a reservation to visit the memorial museum. To learn more about parking, security screenings, etc. visit the national park website .
• To visit the USS Arizona you must reserve a ticket online. The ticket is free, but Recreation.gov does charge a $1 processing fee.
• To take the National Park’s Ford Island Bus Tour, you must make a reservation. The tour is free, but Recreation.gov does charge a $1 processing fee.
• Note: If you decide to take the bus tour you must stay with the tour group even if you have a military ID.
• A free shuttle from the Pearl Harbor Visitors Center to Ford Island allows civilians access to the Battleship Missouri Memorial and/or the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.  To see other attractions on Ford Island, civilians must book the Ford Island Bus Tour.
• Arrive early to find parking and the tour locations.  The ferry and bus require prompt check-ins by the time printed on your ticket.  Don’t be late!

The following activities are not part of the national park and do charge admission.  Only military ID card holders may drive to Ford Island.  All others must go with a National Park shuttle.

Ford Island Historical Tours

• Don’t confuse this tour with the Ford Island tour offered by the Pearl Harbor National Memorial.  Only DOW ID card holders and their sponsored guests may take this tour of Ford Island.
• Contact the ITT-Fleet Store at 473-0792 or visit their website for prices and details.

Ford Island Historical Trail

• • See this website for a trail map and more information.